Dear Families,

As we begin this newsletter we continue to keep the people of Ukraine and their families and relatives across the world in our prayers.

May our Lenten prayer be for peace; peace within ourselves, our families and within our world. We also keep close to our heart at this time, those people within NSW and Queensland who have been affected by the devastating floods.

Pope Francis has asked us to make this Ash Wednesday, today, a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine. Caritas Australia is hosting a prayer vigil this afternoon at 5pm. You are most welcome to join. Let’s stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Ukraine, and ask God to bring light to a dark situation.
- Please click the button below to join the prayer vigil on Zoom:

Lent

Today we begin the Church Season of Lent.

Yesterday the students all enjoyed making and eating pancakes as part of the tradition of Shrove Tuesday.

In today's Liturgy, Fr Eric reminded us all that we can take the word LENT and use these letters each day to remind us to:

Love

Everyone

Now (and)

Tomorrow

Lent is a forty day period preparation for Easter. During this time, we remember the 40 days that Jesus fasted and prayed out in the wilderness before he took up his ministry. Lent is a time of reflection, prayer and good works for us as well. During this period, we are called to focus on becoming closer to Jesus by praying a little more, doing good deeds for others, going without something we like and giving generously to others in need. Ash Wednesday is a good time for us to think about what we can do to grow closer to Jesus over the lenten period.

More information in RE News

Closure Day - This Friday

Our first SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY is this FRIDAY 4th MARCH. There is no school for students.

Purpose of the Day:

The staff are currently engaged in ongoing Professional Learning around using feedback to best support student learning. The staff will be using the expertise of Catholic Education staff and our own team.

This Coming Week

Thursday - Year 5 Taster Day at Nazareth College
Monday 7th - Year 3/4 Incursion - First Aid St John's Ambulance
Harmony Day - Dance Preparation - Footsteps

Thank you Parents/ Carers

For your support of our Meet and Greet Conversations
To our 1/2 Parents who attended our Online Maths Information Session

Prep Students and Parents - Pizza with the Principal

Please note that the Prep students and parents are invited to Pizza with the Principal and staff next Wednesday 9th March beginning at 6pm. The evening will finish at about 7pm. We ask that you park on the Parish Carpark and walk through the gates beside the hall where we will meet outside the Performing Arts area.

A form about the evening was sent home yesterday with Prep L and Prep CT. Prep F will receive their form tomorrow.

School Advisory Council

Our first meeting is next Tuesday 8th March - online beginning at 5:15pm.

As this is the first School Advisory Council meeting under the MACS Governing body the meeting will be an induction into our roles.

At this meeting a chair person will be appointed.

Our Advisory Council members consist of parent representatives from across the school:

Daniella Scaranto, Nick Caraccia, Maria Smith, Rebecca Cameron, Cat Vonguyen.

The ex offico members are Fr Eric (Parish Priest), Marg Klupacs (Deputy Principal) and myself.

Prep 2023 -Open days

Our second Open Day was held yesterday, with a few families touring our school. Please pass on the word to friends at Kinders and within the neighbourhood!

NEXT OPEN DAY: FRIDAY 11th MARCH

Prep 2023 Enrolment

To assist us with planning we ask that all families with a child beginning Prep in 2023 complete the Enrolment Form sent home with your eldest child. This will help us know the number of places we have available for new families. If you did not receive an enrolment pack today and you have a child starting school in 2023 please contact the school office as soon as possible.

We need these back as soon as possible.

COVID Updates

RATS were sent home for the next two weeks with every child on Monday
Please continue to notify the school and the Department of Health on the day of a positive test result.

Staffing News

We congratulate Violetta and Michael Poulter on their wedding earlier in the term! A happy happy snap! Please note Violetta will now be known as Mrs Poulter... it might take some time as students to get use to the change of name from Miss Bassovitch!

Student Achievement

Mason and Caris

Caris from 3/4HS and Mason from Prep L have had some exciting athletic achievements to share. Caris won gold in discus at the Regional competition with a throw of 17.65m. We wish her luck at the State competition at Lakeside Stadium next week. Mason broke the Springvale U6 discus record with a throw of 12.6m. This record was established in the 1960s.

The SJV community are so proud of their achievements! Congratulations!

A Prayer for Peace and Justice in Ukraine

Let's pause for a minute.....